2009

Climate Action Plan

Houston Community College 2009 Climate Action Plan

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Houston Community College Demographic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Campus Emissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Mitigation Strategies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Implementing Energy Conservation Measures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Recycling / Waste Minimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Educating Relevant Stakeholders on Greenhouse Gas Emissions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Education and Community Outreach Efforts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Financing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Tracking Progress. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Conclusion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Appendices

Appendix A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Appendix B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Appendix C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11
Acknowledgments
The Houston Community College (HCC) 2009 Climate Action Plan (CAP) factors the collective input of administrators,
faculty, staff, and students, as compiled and produced by the HCC Office of Government Relations and Sustainability.
This work product represents an affirmative step by the institution, its governing board and chancellor, to help promote
both climate neutrality and a sustainable future. A comprehensive listing of contributors to the final work product appears
at Appendix A.

Houston Community College Demographic

HCC is one of the nation’s largest community colleges. As of Spring 2009, HCC has over 60,000 students enrolled,
consists of 38 separate physical facilities and covers 623 square miles.
Since its opening in 1971, more than 1.3 million students have improved their lives through education and training
obtained from HCC. An open-admission public institution, HCC awards associate degrees and certificates in academic
studies and career and technology programs. HCC is committed to meeting the needs of its diverse communities,
providing academic courses for transfer to four-year institutions, terminal degrees and certificates in more than 70 fields
of work, continuing education and corporate training, lifelong learning and enrichment programs, and the largest adult
education program in Texas.
HCC is governed by a nine member board of trustees and guided by the day-to-day leadership of Dr. Mary S. Spangler,
the chancellor. Its vision: be the most relevant community college in the country … the opportunity institution to
every student we serve – essential to our community’s success. Consistent with its vision, HCC will work to promote
the tenants outlined in the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) relating to
climate neutrality and use its CAP as a guide to meet relevant objectives.

Executive Summary
This writing represents the first CAP produced by HCC. Its primary purpose is to serve as a guide to HCC in promoting
climate neutrality and sustainability. The CAP addresses HCC’s greenhouse gas emissions and provides mitigation
strategies designed to help reduce the same. It also identifies HCC’s belief that education and community outreach are
central to promoting climate neutrality and sustainability.
As demonstrated by the HCC Board of Trustees’ actions, HCC has sufficient funds to begin addressing climate neutrality
that aligns with its strategic plan and commitment as a signatory to the ACUPCC. Moreover, recognizing that “what
gets tracked gets measured,” HCC will use an internal tracking matrix to assess specific action items and relevant
outcomes. HCC will also continue to use the Clean Air – Cool Planet (CA – CP) emissions calculator to track changes in
its greenhouse gas emissions.

Introduction
Like other ACUPCC signatories, HCC seeks to model ways to eliminate global warming emissions. To help guide
our efforts, HCC provides this document, its CAP, which is critical to helping promote a climate neutral environment,
advancing sustainable practices, and helping our students achieve future career goals. Moreover, consistent with its
Strategic Plan and the ACUPCC climate neutral initiatives, HCC commits to engage faculty to create unique and innovative
curricula that prepare students to think, learn, and act globally.
To help achieve the collective ACUPCC goal of promoting climate neutrality,1 HCC embarked upon an initial three-prong
approach that includes (1) becoming more energy efficient by operationally developing sustainable green projects, (2)
programmatically exposing its students to potential green jobs, and (3) leveraging existing and new partnerships with
other entities committed to minimizing the negative impact on the environment. Achieving these goals is critically
important to the environment and to HCC, as we actively pursue climate neutrality and a more sustainable future.

1 For purposes of the ACUPCC, climate neutrality is defined as having no net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, to be achieved by
minimizing GHG emissions as much as possible, and using carbon offsets or other measures to mitigate the remaining emissions.

1
 Campus Emissions
HCC’s gross (Scopes 1, 2 and 3) and net carbon emissions for the period 2001 to 2008 are 1,176,705 metric tons.
As an initial step to help advance our commitment to reduce our carbon emissions, HCC elected to use the CA – CP
emissions calculator to conduct an emissions inventory. The input and outcome of our CA – CP inventory positions HCC
to implement strategies later identified in the CAP that will help us reduce our carbon emissions.
For informational purposes, it is important to identify that the HCC greenhouse gas emissions inventory is inconclusive
due to the absence of reliable systems capable of capturing relevant data. Therefore, HCC’s emissions outcomes are
correspondingly inconclusive. Nonetheless, the HCC emissions data, as captured and recorded, represents the best
information available to us that provides a starting point to identify gaps in our tracking systems while also permitting HCC
to provide meaningful information in this and future modified CAPs. The reader should also consider that some findings
result from reasonable assumptions made about certain information sought (e.g., commuting by faculty and staff, diesel
fuel usage).
HCC factored the following emissions sources to determine its greenhouse gas emissions:
1. Direct Transportation
2. Purchased Electricity
3. Faculty/ Staff Commuting
4. Student Commuting
5. Solid Waste
Immediately below is a graphical representation of HCC’s baseline greenhouse emissions:2

HCC eCO2 Emissions

140
Metric Tons
Thousands

120
100 Year
80
60 eCO2
40 Net Emissions
20
0
91

93

95

97

99

01

03

05

07
19

19

19

19

19

20

20

20

20

Emissions Years

The graph represents findings from the period 1991 to 2008 as it relates to HCC’s carbon emissions. HCC elects
to focus on the data from the period 2001 to 2008 acknowledging that it encompasses a broader range of emissions
sources from which to more effectively assess the information and identify changes in our carbon footprint.
HCC’s net carbon emissions over the 2001 to 2008 period average 93,916 metric tons. The high and low for the same
period is 119,303 and 76,746 metric tons, respectively. The upward trends depicted in the graph (See years 2001, 2002
and 2006) are consistent with HCC’s student population growth and expansion of facilities over the relevant period.3
These factors, in part, likely explain the corresponding upward trends in our carbon emissions. However, one must also
consider other relevant dynamics (e.g., absence and implementation of a climate action plan, comprehensive energy
analysis, and a master plan for growth) that are likely contributing factors to the rise in our carbon emissions. The trend
increases lead one to reasonably assume that as HCC grows so does its carbon emissions.

2 See http://www.cleanair-coolplanet.org/toolkit/inv-home.php to examine the process for conducting an emissions inventory.

3 The source of these factors is the HCC Institutional Research Department.

2
Notwithstanding the above-identified information and assumptions, the central finding of the CAP is the need to ensure
that the greenhouse gas emissions inventory is accurate and conclusive. This requires HCC to diligently install adequate
systems that capture relevant and complete information that ultimately allows one to assess the variability of data trends
(e.g., a central repository of information, perpetual capturing of data, and establishing accountability).
Another tool that will aid HCC’s efforts to advance climate neutrality is its energy analysis. HCC engaged Chevron
Energy Solutions (CES) to conduct a Comprehensive Energy Analysis (CEA) of its buildings. In addition to helping with
campus emissions, the main goals of the CEA project are (1) identify energy conservation measures that will reduce
energy consumption and provide long-range infrastructure benefits to HCC, (2) provide savings associated with specific
capital improvements in the facilities, and (3) provide a reliable cost estimate associated with the energy conservation
measures.4 The analysis encompassed 38 HCC buildings covering an area of 2.3 million square feet.
In addition to providing a means by which HCC is able to reduce its campus emissions, the HCC/CES analysis effectively
identified a potential cost savings of $5 million over a 5-year period. Factors contributing to the reduction of campus
emissions and identified savings opportunities include better utilization of lights, temperature control systems, air
handling improvements, water conservation measures, monitoring and management of equipment and mechanical
systems. The findings also revealed that HCC could save an additional $200,000 annually by implementing a plan to
better utilize classroom space. Additionally, the energy analysis revealed an opportunity to enhance energy savings by
adding cogeneration5 of electricity for emergency support.

Mitigation Strategies
HCC intends to achieve climate neutrality by implementing mitigation strategies recognizing that overall success depends
on our ability to modify our strategies to meet potentially changing conditions. To date, these strategies include (1)
implementing identified energy conservation measures as presented in our CEA, (2) establishing district-wide recycling
initiatives, and (3) educating relevant stakeholders about the benefits of helping to reduce the adverse impact of
greenhouse gas emissions.

1. Implementing Energy Conservation Measures

The process of implementing energy conservation measures is a critical factor in reducing HCC’s carbon
emissions. Accordingly, HCC will examine the outcome of its Greenhouse Gas Report and subsequently initiate
energy conservation measures as part of its mitigation strategy. These strategies, referenced in the CEA, include
the following:
Improve space comfort for the students, staff and visitors
Reduce operating hours of equipment, extending the life of existing systems
Upgrade facility infrastructures to extend the current value of the facilities by increasing the life
expectancy of the existing building systems
Upgrade/ replace older inefficient equipment to remove the burden on the staff and future
replace costs
Implement energy conservation measures that support reductions in operating cost
Specific strategies include but are not limited to: fluorescent lighting conversions, consolidating building usage
schedules, retrofitting HVAC systems, installing classroom occupancy sensors, and incorporating boiler control
modifications among other measures. These are both cost effective and energy efficient.
The recommended energy conservation measures represent an 11% overall reduction in utility costs.6 This
includes an 11% reduction in electricity costs, a 10% reduction in fossil fuel costs (natural gas, steam and chilled
water, combined) and a 12% reduction in water/sewer costs.7 The implementation of the CEA begins in Fiscal Year
2010 and will continue until all facilities receive upgrades and retrofits.
4 HCC Comprehensive Energy Analysis, July 2008, at pg 1-1, as prepared by Chevron Energy Solutions.
5 A process by which an industrial facility uses its waste energy to produce heat or electricity (The American Heritage® College
Dictionary – Third Edition).
6 HCC Comprehensive Energy Analysis, July 2008, at Section 1-2, as prepared by Chevron Energy Solutions.
7 Id.

3
 Additional existing conservation measures that HCC presently employs include the following:
Use of debit cards for financial aid disbursement purposes
Use of ImageNow System (minimization of paper)
Paperless payroll
Paperless attendance rosters
Paperless board agenda
Recycling at certain colleges (e.g., computers, furnishings, office supplies)
Substantially paperless in Fleet Management Department
Substantially paperless in Asset Management Department relating to annual inventory
Use of “Go-To-Meeting” remote meeting management to reduce travel, piloting in the Division of
Extended Learning
Online employment applications for faculty and staff

2. Recycling/ Waste Minimization

HCC has long understood the need to implement recycling into its operations. In fact, many of its colleges (e.g.,
Coleman, Southwest, Northeast and Southeast) have implemented successful recycling programs. However, the
missing component is having a well designed recycling program that benefits the entire HCC system. Though
implementing a recycling program district-wide has been challenging due to our size and other relevant factors
(e.g., 38 separate physical facilities in three counties spanning 623 square miles), HCC will implement a district-
wide recycling program beginning Fall 2009. Recycling at HCC presents an opportunity to reduce strategically
our production of waste and help promote sustainable practices while also reducing our carbon emissions. The
program strategies will include the following:
Perform a waste assessment analysis
Produce a waste steam report (quantity, type, etc.)
Identify opportunities for waste steam reduction
Identify return on investment for the institution and environment
Develop an employee education and training program
The immediate above-identified mitigation strategies and the implementation of the same demonstrate the
willingness of HCC to become better stewards of our collective resources and the environment. Moreover, it
is this willingness that created the atmosphere to advance a cohesive mitigation strategy to reduce our carbon
emissions with the help of 3,890 HCC employees and more than 60,000 students.

3. Educating Relevant Stakeholders on Greenhouse Gas Emissions

HCC believes it is vital to educate all relevant stakeholders (e.g., faculty, staff, students, and the community) on
the detrimental effects of greenhouse gas emissions. This education process and mitigation strategy is a critical
factor in promoting climate neutrality at HCC, the community it serves, and the global environment. Moreover,
due to its sheer size, one of the largest community colleges in the country, HCC identifies this as an opportunity to
provide leadership by equipping others with the knowledge that positions them to actively engage in the collective
quest to promote climate neutrality. This mitigation strategy allows HCC to act as a change agent as it works to
reduce its carbon footprint and promote climate neutrality.

4
Education And Community Outreach Efforts
Education and community outreach efforts are central to HCC’s plan to promote climate neutrality. Accordingly, HCC will
factor each of these considerations going forward.

Education
From an education perspective, HCC seeks to expose its students to pathways that promote climate neutrality and
sustainability. Additionally, HCC commits to ensuring that its students receive the necessary competencies and skills to
transition into an evolving workforce where employers are implementing sustainable practices into their operations.
First, in an effort to expose its students to pathways that promote climate neutrality and sustainability, HCC is creating an
environment that fosters a positive clean air culture and integrates eco-literacy throughout the college system. In addition
to providing course work that accomplishes this objective, HCC is similarly identifying new ways to engage its students.
From a programmatic and certification perspective, HCC has several courses that include: Solar Energy Technology
(PV&TH), Wind Energy Technology, Certified Green Supply Chain Professional, Principles of Green Buildings, and Senior
Certified Sustainability Professional. This non-exhaustive list of courses either directly or indirectly relate to promoting
climate neutrality and sustainability.8
Anticipated non-programmatic opportunities that enable students to gain relevant exposure include: Participation in
Earth Day, RecycleMania, the HCC Clean and Green committee, and establishing a web presence that promotes climate
neutrality and sustainability. HCC will also proactively work with students to establish a student advisory committee
designed to further the objectives of becoming climate neutral and produce a newsletter that addresses this important
matter.
Second, HCC seeks to ensure that its students have the requisite competencies and skills to transition into the evolving
workforce where employers are implementing sustainable practices into their operations. To accomplish this objective,
HCC is identifying critical industry needs to ensure that its students effectively transition into the workforce and meet its
changing demands.
To further facilitate the above, HCC is proactively partnering with numerous local entities in both the public and private
sectors (e.g., Texas Workforce Commission, City of Houston, The Greater Houston Partnership, Shell, Chevron, Texas
Medical Center, and other industry advisory boards). These partnerships link HCC and its students with employers and
allow for the design of relevant coursework for today’s job market.
To promote relevant educational and training opportunities, HCC received $1.16 million from Houston Galveston Area
Council and anticipates receiving an additional $2.5 million from the United States Department of Energy (DOE) to
generate a center for “green energy” education and training. These awards offer fast track training to individuals pursuing
careers in green jobs. Another educational benefit is the development of the Texas Renewable Energy Education
Consortium (www.treec.org) to promote green energy awareness and education at HCC and within the state of Texas.

Community Outreach
Recognizing the intrinsic value that relationships provide, HCC commits to community outreach for the purpose of
exposing others to the challenges and opportunities of climate change and sustainability. These opportunities include
hosting the 2nd Annual Chancellor’s Symposium on Energy (October 2009) that brings HCC students and local high
school students together with faculty, staff, and relevant thought leaders from both the public and private sectors to
explore the pathways and opportunities to careers in the energy industry.
HCC believes that through community outreach, the path to a sustainable future is attainable, paved with expert
knowledge, and resources united in a collaborative pursuit of a common interest. We commit to this effort with
our partners that non-exclusively include: University of Houston, Rice University, Chevron Energy Solutions, Waste
Management as well as federal and state policy makers.

8 For a comprehensive list of sustainability-related courses, please see Appendix B.

5
 Financing
Financing is a critical component to ensuring the progress of most, if not all, important initiatives that promote climate
change. In fact, it was HCC’s funding commitment to engage CES to provide the Energy Savings Performance Contract
Services. This enabled the institution to help finalize a major element of its commitment to sustainability and the creation
of a green environment articulated in the ACUPCC.
To demonstrate its commitment, HCC executive administrators presented and the HCC Board of Trustees approved
funding, in part, to help address global climate disruption and eliminate net greenhouse gas emissions from specified
campus operations. The means by which HCC, as approved by its governing board, will partly finance this endeavor is via
maintenance tax notes (i.e., bonds over a 15-year period in the amount of $14,276,673). The maintenance tax notes will
fund the energy conservation measures specifically identified in the CES CEA, as commissioned by HCC in July 2008.
The approved funding positions HCC to leverage energy savings relevant to projects itemized in the CEA. The funding
also helps HCC add cogeneration of electricity for emergency support to HCC headquarters and to develop sustainable
green projects. The HCC Board of Trustees also authorized the chancellor to use grant funding and any required matching
funds equal to additional savings to develop sustainable projects that qualify under the law. In fact, HCC is a recent
recipient of a U.S. DOE grant totaling $3,566,058 that will help establish a network of educational, industry, and state
partners to ensure the availability and effectiveness of solar installation training throughout the South Central region.
These funding sources position HCC to further implement its CAP and promote climate neutrality and sustainability.

Tracking Progress
HCC is most familiar with the assertion that “what gets tracked gets measured” and the value it provides when actively
implemented. Accordingly, HCC will track its ongoing efforts to promote climate neutrality and a sustainable future. In
addition to using the CA – CP calculator, HCC will use the internally devised Climate Action Matrix that tracks its progress,
assignments and other relevant information that measures outcomes.9

Conclusion
Recognizing the importance of promoting climate neutrality and sustainability, HCC produced this CAP. The CAP generally
addresses HCC’s gross (Scopes 1, 2 and 3) and net carbon emissions (i.e., 1,176,705 metric tons) for the period 2001 to
2008. The CAP specifically addresses HCC’s (1) carbon emissions, (2) mitigation strategies, (3) methods by which it will
educate students, faculty and staff and engage the community, (4) financing, and (5) tracking outcomes.
It is important to identify that the HCC greenhouse gas emissions inventory is inconclusive due to the absence of reliable
systems capable of capturing relevant data. Therefore, HCC’s emissions outcomes are correspondingly inconclusive.
Nonetheless, the HCC emissions data, as captured and recorded, represents the best information available to us that
provides a starting point to identify gaps in our tracking systems while also permitting HCC to provide meaningful
information in this and future modified CAPs. The reader should also consider that some findings result from reasonable
assumptions made about certain information sought (e.g., commuting by faculty and staff, diesel fuel usage). In the
final analysis, HCC demonstrates, via this CAP, its commitment to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by promoting
climate neutrality and sustainability.

9 See Appendix C that identifies the HCC Climate Action Matrix.

6
Appendices

7
 APPENDIX A
CAP Authors Clean & Green Committee
Mary S. Spangler, Ed.D. Yvonne Bohanon, M.B.A.
Yvonne Bohanon, M.B.A. Diana Castillo, Ed.D.
Piper Butler Julian Fisher
John Galiotos, Ph.D. Margaret Ford Fisher, Ph.D.
Otiz Porter, M.A. John Galiotos, Ph.D.
Alex Prince, M.Ed Christopher Martin
Remmele J. Young, J.D. Virginia Parras, M.B.A.
Hernan Segovia
Virginia Stehr
Jackquline Swindle, M.B.A.
Tina Young
Remmele J. Young, J.D.

CAP Data Resources

Art Tyler, D.M. Charles M. Cook, Ed.D. Hector Perez
Karla Bender, C.P.A. Virginia Parras, M.B.A. Penny Roberts, C.P.A.
Winston Dashe, M.B.A. Ray Golitko Jackquline Swindle, M.B.A.
Ron DeFalco, C.P.A. Ken Hoyle
John Carter Margaret Drain
William Carter, M.B.A. Martha Oburn, Ph.D.

Additional Support
Daniel Seymour, Ph.D.
Yolanda Cardenas
Roger Cook
Raul Ortegon
Diana Sanders

APPENDIX B

Sustainability-Related Courses
Power Engineering Technology
Construction Technology
Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
Industrial Electricity
Biotechnology
Chemical Engineering Technology
Instrumentation and Controls Engineering Technology
Process Technology
Performing Comprehensive Building Assessments
Building Analyst Quick Start Program

9
10
Climate Action Matrix
ACTION FOCUS ACTION GOAL METHOD
Business Practices • Reduce district-wide travel-related carbon emissions
Encourage alternative
forms of transportation
to and from campus
Discuss Results of Pilot Go
to Meeting Project in DEL
Develop a plan to replace and
reduce the current fleet of vehi-
cles with energy efficient models
Contact Metro regarding
reduced pricing for HCC
students and faculty
• Increase business relationships with companies providing sustainable goods and services and demonstrating sustainable principles, practices, and ethics
Stipulate sustainability as
a factor in district RFP's for
outside services and materi-
als such as grounds mainte-
nance and housekeeping
Purchase eco-friendly
and sustainably produced
goods and services
Community Leadership • Position HCC as a premier center for sustainable education in our community and throughout the Gulf Coast Region
Complete, promote and maintain
a Sustainability Website
Provide outreach and
programming to K-12 on
sustainability topics
Increase Dual Credit
classes offering compo-
nents in sustainability
Partner with other local colleges,
universities and/or agencies
on sustainability projects:
Develop leadership role in
regional sustainability efforts
APPENDIX C
ASSIGNED
Clean & Green Committee
Clean & Green Committee
Fleet Management
Clean & Green Committee
Building and Purchasing
Clean & Green Committee
Clean & Green Committee
Energy Institute
Energy Institute
Clean & Green Committee
START-UP STEPS REVIEW
Set as agenda item
for discussion
Set as agenda item Determine amount of time and
for discussion gas saved per meeting to use
as criteria for system wide use
Set as agenda item
for discussion
Set as agenda item Change verbiage in RFP's
for discussion now for next round of bids
Set as agenda item
for discussion
Set as agenda item for Develop materials for input
discussion, contact already into HCC Vignette system
made with Marketing
On-going Continued association
with the Solar Bus
On-going Besides classes offered through
the Energy Institute continue to
integrate topics on sustainability
throughout the HCC curriculum
On-going Continue offering an annual
"Chancellor's Symposium on
Energy" in order to engage
high school students
MEASUREMENT
To be developed
If adopted, measure increase
in meetings over time
Timeline for replacement of fleet
To be developed
Percentage of RFP's that include
sustainable practices as criteria
Percentage increase of goods
and services purchased
that are sustainable
Site established by January
2010, site updated as needed
Percentage increase in
participants and/or students
Percentage increase in
classes with sustain-
ability as a component
Percentage increase in
participants and/or students
 APPENDIX C (Continued)
ACTION FOCUS ACTION GOAL METHOD ASSIGNED START-UP STEPS REVIEW MEASUREMENT
Curriculum • Provide every HCC student with a basic understanding of sustainable principles and issues that foster an attitude of responsibility to create a sustainable future
Assess coverage of sustain- Clean & Green Committee On-going Measure response to survey;
ability in all current HCC courses baseline current curriculum.;
through survey of HCC faculty measure increase over time
Investigate ways to expose HCC Clean & Green Committee Set as agenda item for Percentage increase in
students to sustainable models discussion, contact staff student service initiatives
responsible for "Student Suc-
cess" to see if appropriate
Develop faculty and staff Clean & Green Committee Begin planning stages
educational training on
sustainability to be delivered
in person and/or on-line
Facilities • Significantly and systematically reduce HCC use of non-renewable energy
Begin implementation of Building Services and Finance Scheduled implementa- Annual review of progress Percentage decrease in
Chevron Solutions Energy Audit tion is February 2010 energy costs and emissions
• Promote use of eco-unfriendly products at sites and grounds at HCC
Review current RFP's for Building Services and Finance Contracts are renewed each fis- Building Services must monitor Calculate percentage of de-
house and grounds keep- cal year, target change for 2011 contractors performance as crease in environmental impact
ing and commit to changing specified in bid contract
to eco-friendly products
Recycling and Waste • Establish district-wide recycling throughout HCC system
Management
Negotiate recycling audit costs Clean & Green Committee Award pending Clean & Green Committee to Success when pilot sites
with contracted waste vendor meet with successful bidder to are established
continue discussion of needs
Seek long term funding to Clean & Green Com- Establish agenda item for
expand and maintain district- mittee/ Finance committee meeting
wide recycling program
• Educate students, faculty and staff to ensure waste reduction and recycling is a priority
Participate in RecycleMania Clean & Green Commit- Establish agenda item for Percentage of participants
annually at each campus tee and Public Relations committee meeting
Ongoing reduction in Clean & Green Committee Continue with ongo- Committee to research Percentage increase of paper-
printing and paper usage ing paperless projects other ongoing efforts less projects initiated each year
district-wide annually
Investigating usage of bio-diesel Truck Driving and Fleet Research costs for con- Seek funding for costs Percentage of change
fuels in the Truck Driving and Management version of vehicles of exiting vehicles in truck driving fleet
Fleet Management programs
Promote recycling with HCC Public Relations On-going in Division of Percentage increase of
sponsored giveaways such Extended Learning - seek to purchase of eco-friendly
as reusable grocery bags extend throughout system promotional materials
Conduct a grocery bag Clean & Green Committee Agenda item for com- Integrate as an interac- Percentage increase
challenge pledge drive mittee meeting tive tool into web site of participants
Measurement • Continue to monitor process by using the Clear Air Cool Planet Emissions Calculator
Seek more assistance with Clean & Green Committee Seek additional support, pos- More reliable and
data input to improve original sible student or faculty led conclusive data
inventory submission

11
 www.hccs.edu/climateactionplan

HCC Board of Trustees

Abel Davila, Board Chair . . . . . . District VIII
Yolanda Navarro Flores . . . . . . . District I
Bruce A. Austin . . . . . . . . . . . . . District II
Diane Olmos Guzmán . . . . . . . . District III
Dr. Michael P. Williams . . . . . . . District IV
Richard M. Schechter . . . . . . . . District V
Robert Mills Worsham . . . . . . . District VI
Neeta Sane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . District VII
Christopher W. Oliver . . . . . . . . District IX

Chancellor
Dr. Mary S. Spangler

Contact
Remmele J. Young
Office of Government Relations and Sustainability
email: remmele.young@hccs.edu
713.718.7452